Series S00251 - Jewish manuscripts

Series consists of correspondence, financial and legal documents, and other material gathered by Sheldon and Judy Godfrey as a research collection to support their work on Jewish families in Canada. The original documents are frequently supplemented by the Godfreys' research notes. Topics include the interconnected financial affairs of many of these families, particularly their involvement in the fur trade in Montreal and near the Straits of Michilimakinac, and their involvement in cultural and political affairs, such as the launch of the "National magazine" and the marketing of Gerald Hart's book, "The fall of New France," between its publication in 1888 and 1916. In addition to documentation on several families in Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivieres and Riviere-du-Loups, the series includes records of families and businesses in Toronto, including stationery and a small group of building permits issued by the city between 1899 and 1900. The series features correspondence between John A. Macdonald and George Benjamin (member of parliament for North Hastings) between 1857 and 1864 that offers private observations on political developments, and invitations and correspondence sent to Earl Rowe, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, that provide a glimpse of Jewish activities in the province between 1964 and 1984.